Hearts, Heels and Handbags : What A Year : 2015 Round Up

There is something about the prospects of a new year that really makes me reflect on the highs and lows of the past 12 months. I always start out the year with goals and picture all the things I would love to happen over the coming year, but I had no idea just how incredible 2015 was going to turn out to be.

This day last year, I was snuggled up in my parents house with my 13 day old baby son and my boyfriend. Fast forward 12 months, and I am sat in our new home with my beautiful, funny and chubby little one year old son and my fiancee! I honestly did not expect to be at this point in my life so quickly.

In the space of 12 months, I have managed to move out of my family home for the first time into our apartment, and then move on to our amazing new house!! I quit my job in May and decided to take the risky move of making my blog a full time career and devote my time to being at home as much as possible to raise our son Harry. When I took the plunge regarding my career, I had no idea things were going to blow up as much as they have.

I began 2015 with just under 15,000 followers on my Instagram account, and am now entering 2016 with nearly 76,000 followers....that number blows my mind! That is not including the rest of my social media channels or my blog itself.

I did things this year that I never in a million years thought would be possible. I signed with the biggest modelling agency in the country, Andrea Roche Modelling Agency, I began hosting my very own makeup and beauty masterclasses in front of hundreds of lovely followers. I have worked on many TV projects, worked with some HUGE brand names and have met so many incredible faces, some of whom I have looked up to for years. I have featured in newspapers and magazines that I grew up reading. It is only as I write this that I can truly sit back and take in all that I have achieved, and I can actually say that I am so proud of myself.

When we welcomed our son into the world, I was so terrified of whether I would be a good Mum, whether I would be able to give Harry the life he deserved and I put myself under so much pressure that I thought having my dream career was never going to be possible. I've finally found a balance (just about) between work and home life and I am so lucky that I get to be so hands on with my boy.

I get so many messages from young girls who are pregnant or have just had a baby, sometimes out of wedlock (as dated as that sounds) and are scared as to how everything will work out. All I can say is to keep following your dreams. Instead of allowing the fact that I am a young mum put a stop to my dreams, I have used it to drive me forward, to create a better life for my family. Everything I do is for my son. He is the best motivation there is.

I can't round off the year without talking about the one person who has stood by me every step of the way, cheering me on and pushing me forward on days when I doubted myself and the whole blogging world. In June of this year, the man of my dreams stood alongside our son and asked me to be his wife. I would not be where I am today without my fiancé Paul. He believes in me more than I believe in myself, and no matter how big my goals are, he convinces me that I can do it. I am so lucky to have such a supportive person in my life and cannot wait to say 'I Do'. I am blessed to be able to share my life with such an amazing partner and incredible father to our son.

Another high of 2015 is the amazing people I have met through my blog. I have made friends for life with women and men who have been nothing but supportive and encouraging. The Irish blogging industry has been an absolute pleasure to be involved with and I can put my hand on my heart and say I have not had one bad experience with any of the new network of people I have met this year. My blog has opened up so many doors for me both professionally and personally. I work alongside some of the most creative and inspiring people in our country who make me want to work harder and better myself in all aspects of my career.

Lastly, I couldn't finish my 2015 roundup without thanking you, the amazing face behind the username who continuously reads, comments, likes, snaps and emails me in your hundreds each week, with such kind and loving words. I feel like I know you all personally and nothing puts a bigger smile on my face than when I get to meet some of you in person. It is by far my favourite part of what I do. Without all of your support I wouldn't be living this amazing life, so I am forever grateful for every single one of you.